Kitchen Project #4: Backsplash

As with all projects, I began with researching backsplash options on a budget. I found some peel and stick tiles at Menards, but everything was either more than what I wanted to spend or not what I was going for. Then, I thought maybe peel and stick flooring that I would paint white (channeling my inner Joanna Gaines with the shiplap look), but that was more than I wanted to spend as well. During one of my many wander-arounds at Menards, I stumbled across the paneling section and found some white bead board. After contemplating a few different variations, we went with whitehall, $20 per sheet.

Seeing as I have the summer off and my fiance works during the day - I am left to run the errands. Meaning I carried this baby through Menards and loaded it myself. I was pretty proud and bragged about this to my brother - he called me an idiot because apparently they have large carts for things like this. I learn more every visit to Menards.

This is the point of the project where my handy-dandy brother came in again. This part was a slow process - because we are low on the totem pole of his many projects. I swear - he is a saint (most of the time...) He goes to carpentry class all day, then helps at least 2 people at night with projects. Slowly but surely, we got 'er done. We measured each area - some had outlets that needed to be cut out, which made it more time consuming. Once we had all the pieces cut, we tried to install.

DIY renovation projects always require multiple plans....
*Plan A: liquid nail + nail in each corner --> No, average sized nails won't break the surface of the backsplash.
*Plan B: liquid nail only --> Ehhh - no. Picture my brother and I standing with our entire body weight pushing into the new wallboard attempting to adhere it for 3-5 minutes - and it still slid down as we let go.
*Plan C: liquid nail + huge carpentry nails. I'm talking silver 1.5 inch suckers. Alleluia - it worked!

The nails add a rustic, Joanna Gaines, look to the backsplash. I kind of dig it. And again - a cheap, beautiful alternative to that nasty green stuff. Check out the after post for more pics!